Teachers use a variety of techniques to explain subjects or make a point. Some lecture, others require research papers from students, and video while much of the trend these days is with computer-aided technology.

Metamora resident Evie Boss does her teaching with a ukulele, her beautiful singing voice and her ability to write and adapt songs to simplify topics on the spot.

The subjects she goes into the classroom to teach are science, conservation and the preservation of the environment.

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A tree hugger, anti angler or anti hunter she’s not. But she is aware of the balance that goes on in nature.

Boss is a retired science teacher that taught biology, botany, and conservation. She’s been a teacher for 33 years, most of the time in southeast Michigan.

These days her travels take her to pre-school classrooms and early elementary grades with specific themes in mind like creatures of the night or Michigan birds.

“I use songs, puppets, props, old nests I’ve gotten from trees and other examples. I go over the fear of the night, play bat songs and end up giving teachers a cd to help them follow up with various things to continue to learn about the topic.”

Growing up in Detroit Boss didn’t have much exposure to the outdoors. “When my dad was transferred to Ludington, we had a big yard with a vegetable garden. I became interested in the outdoors then,” she said.

“I went to a small junior college and took every science class I could. All of a sudden a whole bunch of stuff started making sense to me about how everything (nature) worked.”

Prior to teaching, she began volunteering at nature centers and teaching part time for several years.

“One summer I was in the U.P. to do programs and found kids up there were just like kids down here. They were afraid of bugs and were into cell phones and computers even though they were surrounded by opportunities to connect with nature.”

Since school districts have been instilling cutbacks at all levels, Boss says her work has changed as well.

“Due to cutbacks I now get more work in-servicing teachers teaching them to play the ukulele. Teachers see what I’m about.

“A popular program (I do) is how do you use your own school yard to teach science, conservation and habitat preservation?

“I’m really trying to get them (teachers) to encourage the naturalist intelligence of students who don’t do well in the classroom but find success outdoors,” she said.

“They want to know songs about the science curriculum or simple songs about why you wash your hands to get rid of germs or to be quiet for story time. I ask what they need then come up with a song or rhyme to help explain what they are teaching.

“I also do science song writing for teachers. One teacher hatches chickens in her classroom and wanted to do a song about the incubator. She didn’t know what to do for a song.

“I thought a minute then said ‘See you later incubator,’ and went from there. Pre-school teachers are very creative, coming up with songs and putting motions with them.”

In her teaching days, Boss had a greenhouse in a school courtyard along with several animals. “We always had something going on.

“There were adventures and some misadventures. We had a rabbit in the courtyard. On April fools someone put in another rabbit for a joke. When they talk about the way rabbit’s breed they’re right. We had a lot of bunnies.”

Talking with Boss and watching her perform, it’s apparent she has a passion for both science and children.

“Three year old questions are almost all science related like where do bugs go in the winter or why is the sky blue. Teachers don’t have to have all the answers but be able to help students discover those answers.

“Using music is such a neat way to connect the left and right brain. If we go back and think about it, we all learned the alphabet by singing it,” she said.

Using catchy songs to help illustrate lessons isn’t just for young children. High school-age-kids also sit up and take notice.

“We were getting ready to dissect a worm in one of my high school classes. The kids were grumbling and some were squeamish about it.

“I wrote a song, ‘Willie the Worm,’ about a pet worm and all the parts that get squished when they are injured or run over.

“I had kids come back two years later and want to do “Willie the Worm.’ It’s another way to incorporate teaching,” Boss said.

The passion to interest and teach kids by making the learning experience fun is one activity near and dear to her heart. The other is Gilda’s Club.

“As a cancer survivor-17 years from breast cancer and seven years from thyroid cancer- I’m a super spokesman for Gilda’s Club. I do as much there as I can,” Boss said.

Named for comedian Gilda Radner who died from ovarian cancer, Gilda’s Club is a wellness community and helped deal with social and emotional issues for cancer patients.

“Gilda’s Club is for everyone; the patient, family and support groups. There are children’s programs to lessen the shock of explaining a diagnosis of cancer to a child.”

Boss runs music groups like the Native American Flute Group, lap dulcimer group and ukulele group at Gilda’s.

She also does outside work, preparing and maintaining the club gardens. “I do the gardens at Gilda’s Club. It’s a lot of work but it’s the first thing people see.”

Running a monthly coffee house at Gilda’s beginning with an open mic followed by a scheduled performer, the program is booked for the entire year.

Teaching ukulele began two years ago at Gilda’s. This group meets weekly. “We still get some new people. If you’re new come early and learn a couple of chords,” she said.

“We introduce new songs a couple times a month and have a round robin where people pick a song and we work on it.”

For more information about Boss and her programs along with great links to other websites visit www.bosstunes.biz. Information about Gilda’s Club, (248) 577-0800.

Roger Beukema writes a weekly outdoors column for Journal Register Newspapers. Email him at dutchbeukema@comcast.net and read his blog at theoaklandpress.com.